On Thursday, Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport announced Devlin DeFrancesco will drive the No. 29 Honda for the 2022 season. He replaces James Hinchcliffe, who drove the car for two seasons.
DeFrancesco joins Alexander Rossi, Romain Grosjean, and Colton Herta under the Andretti umbrella.
The 21-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, recently competed in the Indy Lights for Andretti and had two podium finishes. DeFrancesco also competed in the IMSA Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with DragonSpeed USA of the LMP2 class.
Devlin DeFrancesco on moving up to IndyCar said. “I am incredibly grateful to Michael (Andretti) and George (Steinbrenner IV) for the belief they have shown in me over the past two seasons moving up the Road to Indy ladder.”
DeFrancesco added, “To now take that final step into INDYCAR with two of the world’s biggest names in sports – Andretti and Steinbrenner – is an incredible opportunity that I can’t wait to take full advantage of. I have three very experienced teammates to learn from, and that is what makes this opportunity even more exciting. To get to race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport and to contest the Indianapolis 500 is a dream come true, and I’m so looking forward to getting started.”
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO of Andretti Autosport on DeFrancesco said. “We’re thrilled to keep Devlin in the Andretti Autosport family as he makes his final jump up the Road to Indy ladder into INDYCAR. Devlin has been a great addition to our Indy Lights program and has showed a lot of growth and strength at the recent test days. I think he’ll continue to grow with INDYCAR, and I’m really glad that we could again partner with George and the Steinbrenner Racing team for the No. 29.”
George Steinbrenner IV, CEO of Steinbrenner Racing on DeFrancesco said. “Two years ago, we started a journey with Devlin with the intent to one day take him all the way to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and I’m thrilled that day has come. From Indy Pro 2000 to Indy Lights and now to INDYCAR, he really impressed with his two initial days in an Indy car, and we’re excited to see him in action in 2022.”
The 2022 NTT IndyCar Series starts the season on February 27th, from the Streets of St. Petersburg.
